Abstract

Objectives Georgia has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the United States, and ranks 40th for infant mortality. The Georgia Maternal and Infant Health Research Group was formed to investigate and address the shortage of obstetric care providers outside the Atlanta area. Because access to prenatal care (PNC) can improve maternal and infant health outcomes, we used qualitative methods to identify the access barriers experienced by women who live in rural and peri-urban areas of the state. Methods We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 24 mothers who gave birth between July and August 2013, and who live in either shortage or non-shortage obstetric care service areas. We also conducted key informant interviews with four perinatal case managers, and analyzed all data using applied thematic analysis. We then utilized Thaddeus and Maine’s “Three Delays to Care” theoretical framework structure to describe the recognized barriers to care. Results We identified delays in a woman’s decision to seek PNC (such as awareness of pregnancy and stigma); delays in accessing an appropriate healthcare facility (such as choosing a doctor and receiving insurance coverage); and delays in receiving adequate and appropriate care (such as continuity of care and communication). Moreover, many participants perceived low self-worth and believed this influenced their PNC exchanges. Conclusion As a means of supporting Georgia’s pregnant women who face barriers and delays to PNC, these data provide a rationale for developing contextually relevant solutions to both mothers and their providers.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Georgia Maternal and Infant Health Research Group Board Advisors (Pat Cota, RN, MS and Andrew Dott, MD, MPH), without whom this work would not have been possible, as well as the other members of the team who conducted the interview with new mothers. Gratitude is also extended to all GMIHRG partners for their data sharing, funding, and overall support, especially: Emory University’s Schools of Public Health, Medicine, and Nursing; Georgia Board for Physician Workforce; Georgia Department of Public Health; Georgia Obstetrical and Gynecological Society; and March of Dimes Georgia Chapter. We are also grateful to the women who participated in our research, and hope that we have accurately represented their stories with the goal of transforming the maternal care system in Georgia.